Collapsible beverage container and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A collapsible liquid container has a collapsible bottle section and a cap assembly. The collapsible bottle section expands and collapses to accommodate varying amounts of liquid. The cap assembly is coupled to the collapsible bottle and it prevents leakage of the liquid while allowing for the passage or air as the collapsible bottle section is expanded and collapsed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to a beverage container, and more specifically, to a beverage container that collapses and expands to accommodate the amount of liquid contained within it.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] Many individuals have beverage containers for storing any sort of liquid drink. However, most beverage containers are formed in a predetermined non-adjustable size. The size of the beverage container cannot be adjusted despite how much or how little liquid is contained within them. A problem arises when the beverage container is not full in that the beverage container still occupies the same amount of storage space as a full bottle would.

[0005] Several attempts have been made to solve the above problem. Some of these attempts are listed below.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,936 illustrates a collapsible liquid container with a flexible fluid container that expands and collapses according to how much liquid is contained within it. However, this flexible fluid container is housed within the dispenser body. The problem with this is that while the flexible fluid container may collapse when it is emptied, the overall size of the liquid container remains the same.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,316 describes a valved bottle cap. One embodiment of the cap consists of an outer cap body and an inner cap body. The cap is secured to the bottle by a pair of guide sleeves that interlock with the grooves of the central tube. Although this may secure the cap to the water bottle, repeated application and removal of the cap could cause the guide sleeves to break. Once the guide sleeves are broken, the cap would not stay in place and would no longer be functional.

[0008] Therefore, a need existed to provide an improve beverage container. The improved beverage container will be adjustable in size. The improved beverage container must be able to change its size in order to accommodate the amount of liquid contained within it while occupying no more storage space than necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved beverage container

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved beverage container that is adjustable in size.

[0011] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a beverage container that may change sizes in order to accommodate the amount of liquid contained within it so as to take up no more storage space than necessary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a collapsible liquid container is disclosed. The collapsible liquid container generally has a collapsible bottle and a cap assembly. The collapsible bottle expands and collapses to accommodate varying amounts of liquid. The cap assembly is coupled to the collapsible bottle and it prevents leakage of the liquid while allowing for the passage or air as the collapsible container is expanded and collapsed.

[0013] One embodiment of the cap assembly of the present invention has a cap component, a hole, and a stopper component coupled to the cap component. The stopper component is inserted into the hole to prevent the passage of air and liquid.

[0014] Another embodiment of the cap assembly of the present invention has a cap component, a hole, a stopper component, and a flexible flap traversing the opening portion of the bottle to help regulate the flow of air and liquid.

[0015] Another embodiment of the cap assembly of the present invention has a cap component, a hole, and a buoyant stopper component that fits within the cap component. When the liquid contained within the collapsible bottle pushes up against the stopper component, it overlaps the hole and thus prevents the passage of air and liquid.

[0016] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals and symbols represent like elements.

[0018]FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of one embodiment of the collapsible beverage container of the present.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a side view of the collapsible beverage container of FIG. 1.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the plurality of ridges on the body portion of the collapsible beverage container taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the collapsible beverage container of the present invention with another embodiment of the cap assembly.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a partial side view of the collapsible beverage container of the present invention with another embodiment of the cap assembly.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the cap assembly of FIG. 5 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Referring to the Figures wherein like numerals and symbols represent like elements, a collapsible beverage container 10 is shown. The collapsible beverage container 10 is used to store any kind of liquid. As the amount of liquid contained within the collapsible beverage container 10 increases or decreases, the collapsible beverage container 10 can be expanded or collapsed accordingly. Thus, the collapsible beverage container 10 will not occupy any more storage space than necessary.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the collapsible beverage container 10 is comprised of a main body section 20 and a cap assembly 30. The main body section 20 has an opening portion 21 and a collapsible body portion 22. On the collapsible body portion 22 exists a plurality of flexible ridges 23. The flexible ridges 23 allow the collapsible body portion 22 to expand and collapse to accommodate the amount of liquid contained within it. A gripping edge 24 on the collapsible body portion 22 may also be present. The gripping edge 24 is used to help provide an individual with a firm grasp on the collapsible body portion 22 while expanding and collapsing it.

[0026] A date indicator 25 may be placed on the collapsible body portion 22 of the main body section 20. The date indicator 25 will provide an area to denote the freshness of the liquid contained within the collapsible beverage container 10. When a liquid is placed in the collapsible beverage container 10, one can denote the date on the date indicator 25.

[0027] A plurality of lettering 27 may also be present on the collapsible body portion 22 of the main body section 20. The plurality of lettering 27 will serve as a volume indicator that will denote the amount of liquid contained within the main body section 20. The plurality of lettering 27 functions in the following manner. When the flexible ridges 23 are compressed, the lettering 27 on the side of the collapsible body section 20 will come together and display a message indicating the amount of liquid stored within the collapsible body section 20 (i.e., ¾ full, ½ full, 14 full, etc).

[0028] An attachment device is used to couple the cap assembly 30 to the main body section 20. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, one or more spiraled ridges 29 are present on the opening portion 21 of the main body section 20. The spiraled ridges 29 are used to allow the cap assembly 30 to be snapped or screwed on and attached to the main body section 20.

[0029] The cap assembly 30 has a cap component 31, an opening 33 in the cap component 31 for allowing the passage of air and liquid, and a stopper component 34. The cap component 31 has one or more spiraled ridges 32. The spiraled ridges 32 of the cap component engage the spiraled ridges 29 on the opening portion 21. This will allow for the snapping or screwing on and attaching of the cap assembly 30 to the main body section 20. The stopper component 34 is coupled to the cap component 31 so as to prevent loss of the stopper component 34 when the cap assembly 30 is in the open position. The stopper component 34 is inserted into the hole 33 to prevent the passage of air and liquid.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of the cap assembly 40 is shown. The cap assembly is designated 40 to indicate a different embodiment. The cap assembly 40 comprises a cap component 41, a stopper component 44, and a flexible flap 45 that traverses the opening portion 21 of the main body section 20 to help regulate the flow of air and water. The cap component 41 has a plurality of spiraled ridges 42 that engage the spiraled ridges 29 on the opening portion 21 for screwing on and attaching the cap assembly 40 to the main body section 20. The stopper component 44 has at least one ridge 46 and the hole 43 has at least one groove 47 to anchor the stopper component 44 into the hole 43 thus preventing loss of the stopper component 44 while the cap assembly 41 is in an open position.

[0031] When the main body section 20 is expanded or collapsed, the air passes through the hole 43. By applying pressure to the cap assembly 40, the flexible flap 45 that traverses the opening portion 21 of the main body section 20 will be lowered in order to allow air to escape out of the opening 21 and through the hole 43. When pressure is released from the cap assembly 40, the flexible flap 45 will close thereby preventing air and liquid from escaping.

[0032]FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of the cap assembly 50. The cap assembly 50 has a cap component 51, a hole 53, and a buoyant stopper component 54 fitting within the cap component 51. The cap component 51 has a plurality of spiraled ridges 52 that engage the spiraled ridges 29 on the opening portion 21 thereby screwing on and attaching the cap assembly 50 to the main body section 20.

[0033] The buoyant stopper component 54 has a small lower flat portion 55 fitting within the opening portion 21 of the main body section 20. This small lower flat portion 55 is coupled to a large upper flat portion 56. The large upper flat portion 55 is larger than the opening portion 21 of the collapsible bottle 20 so as to prevent the entire buoyant stopper component 54 from sliding down into the body portion 22 of the collapsible bottle 20. A small space exists between the small lower flat portion 55 and the opening portion 21 of the main body section 20 and also between the large upper flat portion 55 and the cap component 51 to allow for the passage of air. When the main body section 20 is gently compressed, air will be allowed to flow out of the small space exists between the small lower flat portion 55 and the opening portion 21. However, once the liquid in the collapsible body portion 22 pushes upward against the small lower flat portion 55, the large upper flat portion 56 overlaps the hole 53 in the cap component 51 thereby blocking it and preventing the passage of air and liquid out of the collapsible beverage container.

[0034] It is the intention that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structures, materials, or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials, or acts for performing the claimed function. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form or details may be made therein without departing from the spirit of and the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A collapsible liquid container comprising, in combination: a collapsible bottle for storing liquid, and a cap assembly coupled to the collapsible bottle for preventing the leakage of a liquid while allowing for the passage of air as the container is expanded and collapsed.
 2. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the collapsible bottle comprises: an opening portion for dispensing the liquid; a body portion for containing the liquid wherein the body portion has a plurality of flexible ridges to allow the body portion to expand and collapse to accommodate the amount of liquid contained within the body portion.
 3. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 2 wherein the collapsible bottle further comprises a gripping edge coupled to the body portion to aid in expanding and collapsing the body portion.
 4. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 2 wherein the collapsible bottle further comprises a date indicator coupled to the body portion to denote the freshness of the liquid contained within the collapsible liquid container.
 5. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 2 wherein the collapsible bottle further comprises a volume indicator formed on the body portion to denote the amount of liquid contained within the collapsible liquid container.
 6. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 2 wherein the collapsible bottle further comprises a plurality of spiraled ridges formed on the opening portion of the collapsible bottle for coupling the cap assembly to the collapsible bottle.
 7. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 5 wherein the volume indicator comprises a plurality of lettering along the flexible ridges that changes a volumetric message as the body portion expands and collapses.
 8. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cap assembly comprises: a cap component removeably coupled to the opening portion of the collapsible bottle; a hole in the cap component for the passage of air and liquid; and a stopper component to insert into the hole for preventing the passage of air and liquid.
 9. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 8 wherein the stopper component is coupled to the cap component to prevent loss of the stopper component when the stopper component is removed from the hole in the cap component.
 10. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cap assembly comprises: a cap component removeably coupled to the opening portion of the collapsible bottle; a hole in the cap component for the passage of air and liquid; a stopper component to insert into the hole for preventing the passage of air and liquid; and a flexible flap that traverses the opening portion of the collapsible bottle to regulate the passage of air and liquid.
 11. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 10 wherein the stopper component has at least one ridge to anchor the stopper component into the hole and to prevent the loss of the stopper component.
 12. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 10 wherein the hole has at least one groove to receive the corresponding at least one ridge of the stopper component for anchoring the stopper component onto the cap component.
 13. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 10 wherein squeezing the cap assembly will cause the flexible flap to bend and allow for the passage of air and liquid.
 14. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cap assembly comprises a cap component removeably coupled to the opening portion of the collapsible bottle; a hole in the cap component for the passage of air and liquid; and a buoyant stopper component fitting within the cap component that traverses the opening portion of the collapsible bottle and regulates the passage of air and liquid through the hole.
 15. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 14 wherein the buoyant stopper component comprises: a small lower flat portion that fits within the opening portion of the collapsible bottle; and a large upper flat portion coupled to the small lower flat portion which is larger than the opening portion of the collapsible bottle to prevent the entire buoyant stopper component from sliding down into the body portion of the collapsible bottle.
 16. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 15 wherein a space exists between the small lower flat portion and the opening portion of the collapsible bottle and between the large upper flat portion and the cap component to allow for the passage of air and liquid.
 17. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 15 wherein the liquid will push upward against the small lower flat portion causing the large upper flat portion of to overlap the hole in the cap component for blocking it and preventing the passage of air and liquid.
 18. A collapsible liquid container comprising, in combination: a collapsible bottle for storing liquid wherein the collapsible bottle comprises: an opening portion for dispensing the liquid; a body portion for containing the liquid wherein the body portion has a plurality of flexible ridges to allow the body portion to expand and collapse to accommodate the amount of liquid contained within; a gripping edge to aid in expanding and collapsing the collapsible bottle; a plurality of spiraled ridges on the opening portion of the collapsible bottle; a cap assembly coupled to the collapsible bottle for preventing the leakage of liquid while allowing for the passage of air as the container is expanded and collapsed comprising: a cap component having a plurality of spiraled ridges that engage the spiraled ridges on the opening portion for screwing on and attaching the cap assembly to the opening portion of the collapsible bottle; a hole in the cap component for the passage of liquid; and a stopper component to insert into the hole to prevent the passage of air and liquid.
 19. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 18 wherein the cap assembly further comprises a flexible flap that traverses the opening portion of the collapsible bottle to regulate the passage of air and liquid.
 20. A collapsible liquid container in accordance with claim 18 wherein the cap assembly further comprises a buoyant stopper component fitting within the cap component that traverses the opening portion of the collapsible bottle and regulates the passage of air and liquid through the hole. 